Texas Border Business
RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – FEB. 19, 2016 – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on Friday announced the formation of a football feasibility study committee that will be chaired by legendary coach Mack Brown.
The university is in the process of developing its founding strategic and master plans, and UTRGV President Guy Bailey said the football feasibility study is a subset of those plans.
“This is a very important and exciting time for UTRGV,” Bailey added. “As we work on our strategic and master plans, it is important that we examine all aspects of our future. This is an ideal time for our university to explore the possibility of bringing college football to the Rio Grande Valley.”
The committee, which will consist of special advisors, faculty and staff, student leaders and community members, will work with the consultants chosen to conduct the feasibility study. The committee then will present its final recommendations to Bailey.
The committee members and consulting group will be announced at a later date.
“Starting the process for a football feasibility study is a major step forward in our goal to elevate UTRGV Athletics,” said Chris King, UTRGV director of athletics. “It is important that this study take into account all factors, including support in the community, potential infrastructure and funding models, and NCAA requirements for football programs at both the FCS and FBS levels. We are excited that the legendary Mack Brown will use his extensive experience to guide us through this study.”
Brown has been involved with college football as both a player and coach since 1969. He served as head coach at Appalachian State (1983), Tulane (1985-87) and North Carolina (1988-97), but he is best known for his stint with the University of Texas (1998-2013), where he won a national championship in 2005 and played for another in 2009. Brown retired in 2013 and now serves as a Special Assistant to the Men’s Athletics Director and President at The University of Texas, and as a college football analyst for ABC and ESPN.
“I am thrilled and honored to have been selected to lead this committee,” Brown said. “The opportunity to build a college football program from the ground up is unique, and I’m excited to be involved in the process. I know there are many passionate football fans in the Rio Grande Valley, and I can’t think of a better place to launch a college football program.”
